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Saturday, 28 December 2013

Dandino the pedlar of dreams & Little Boy Joe from The Jack and Jill All colour Gift Book

This is a truly beautiful annual published by The News of
the World. Sadly, this copy like others I've seen has a damaged spine. If
you can ignore the damage, you will find delights galore
inside. One of my favourites is a story and poem about Dandino the pedlar of
dreams;

I'm Dandino, the Pedlar of Dreams,

you'll buy violet or lilly a-down Piccadilly,

orange and lemons around by St. Clements,

but never a Dream, so it seems.

To my shop in the Strand

folks humble and grand

come with lists of the dreams they require,

and the very next night before it is light

they are having the dreams they desire.

We've everything here

and nothing too dear,

Come when the Full Moon beams,

if you've got the right face

I'll find you a place

in my beautiful Country of Dreams.

No nightmares or scares

find a place in my wares,

I deal with the very best people,

I prefer the young folk,

and just for a joke

I can make you jump over a steeple.

I've a nice line in fairies

the price seldom varies,

but demons and goblins, with screams,

and frightening spooks

are NOT on my books,

for mine are the nicest of Dreams.

Another of my favourites is this poem written and
illustrated by Barbara C. Freeman about Phyllida Phoebe and three little
pigs called Timothy, Thomas and Little Boy Joe.

Phyllida Phoebe keeps pigs in the wood,

Timothy, Thomas and Little Boy Joe;

In the hot weather, they paddle together

and play with the gleaming fish swimming below.

Chase the blue dragon flies, darting and cool,

while Phyllida washes her clothes in the pool...

This is the first Jack and Jill all colour Gift book
published in 1949. As far as I know there were only two issues. This and a
second annual published around 1951/52 - see previous post here. It’s a shame because they are really special but maybe the cost of printing ‘in full colour’ or the problems with the spine were enough to halt production.

Updated June 2014 – with thanks to 'Mary' for this extra
information received by email - If you haven't already discovered it, I thought you might
like to know that there were 3 books in this series. I've had the 3rd since
about 1952.

The Jack and Jill all colour gift book is now sold, thank you for your interest.

I’ve just enjoyed some time off with family and friends, but
it’s now time to start listing lots of lovely new (vintage) books and related
ephemera. Thanks to everyone who called in over Christmas. I really appreciate your visits and wish you all a very...

First of all, I feel awful for not being able to keep up with everyone this Christmas but I was out of state with NO internet access during my stay. I had the best fun with family, but my mother-in-law (where we were lodging) has no Wi-Fi.

Your selections today are as magical as ever, and I am grateful for people like you who keep up with the glories of the past. Today's technology is fun, but it is nothing like holding a real book made from paper with illustrations drawn by hand.

Dear Anita you have absolutely nothing to feel awful about! I was without internet access in November and really missed visiting my blogging friends, but I’m sure everyone understood. Just as we all did when you were away. Family and life outside blogging have to come first sometimes. I completely agree. Technology is wonderful thing but nothing (in my eyes) will ever replace real books.

The illustrations to go wit the poems are beautiful- so vibrant they just pop off the page. It is interesting that this annual was only published twice. I imagine that the cost to print in color was expensive- but the spine seems like it could also have been a contributing factor.

Hello Stephanie, I’m sure you are right about the cost of production I don’t think we will ever see another book quite so lavishly and lovingly illustrated. I dread to think how much it would cost today. Would a shop full of dreams fit in with your blog? It feels as though it should, simply because of the magical aspect.Thank you for calling in. Happy New Year.

Barbara - I just love that poem about the Pedlar of Dreams. Thank you for a year of fascinating posts - yours is definitely the best blog I have ever read.. My dreams came true this Christmas when my 8-week-old granddaughter came out of hospital to be with her family after suffering a serious chest infection. I hope you had a wonderful time and wish you a really happy and peaceful new year. Kindest regards, Marilyn

Hello Marilyn, I’m so pleased your granddaughter is out of hospital, but what a worrying time for you all. Last time we visit Australia Lilly (our youngest granddaughter) was taken into hospital with gastro enteritis. She was only nine months old at the time so it was very frightening for her and the rest of the family. I’m glad to say she made a full recovery and when we saw her in Malaysia in November, she was bouncing around full of energy and good health. I’m sure you had a lovely Christmas with your granddaughter, and I hope she is over the worst now.

Thank you so much for your kind words about my blog. I sometimes think it is very repetitive so it was lovely to read your comment.

I love this post! And to come again is a happy moment to thank YOU dearest Barbara, for coming to visit me. I had the best holiday with my family, and seeing the ocean again was extremely important for me. I wish you peace for the new year, and I look forward to yet more memories relived here on your post! Anita

I’m so pleased you had a good holiday Anita. We all need to recharge our batteries from time to time and there is no better way than visiting the ocean. I always enjoy your lovely posts and look forward to seeing more in the New Year. Thank you for all your visits and comments during 2013, they mean a lot. Barbara xx

Hello Barbara! Oh, such a pleasure...you know I love these "vintage children", great images!I've been very busy during the last weeks and didn't have enough time for my blog and to visit my favorites (of course yours is one of them!), but I wanted to wish you a very Happy New Year! Of course 2014 will find me here, enjoying your fantastic posts.A big hug,Silvina

Hello Silvian, well I’m very honoured you chose to visit me today, thank you! It has been a busy few weeks, but it will probably quieten down for a while now. I hope your New Year’s Eve was a happy one and that the New Year brings you nothing but joy. Barbara xx

Oh dearest Barbara! HOw honored I am to know YOU! Your posts, each and every one of them is a sweet reminder of the world I love and am still attached to! Thank you for your kind words over 2013 and visits...may this new year give us many more ideas for ADVENTURE! Anita

Hi Tracy, all over the place! This particular book came from an auction, but I also buy from private sellers, book fairs, book sales, flea markets, charity sales and so on. Thanks for your good wishes I hope you have a happy, healthy and prosperous 2014.

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About Me

This is where I share my collection of vintage
books, and other favourite things. I
also showcase new children’s books written by authors I admire. I am an
ex-bookseller, now full time blogger. My husband and I live in a small village
in Somerset, UK. Thanks for visiting. Barbara xx

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There are fairies at the bottom of our garden! It's not so very far away; you pass the gardener’s shed and you just keep straight ahead, I do so hope they've really come to stay. Rose Fyleman

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When little elves have cut themselves, or mouse has hurt her tail, or froggie's arm has come to harm, this herb will never fail. The fairy's skill can cure each ill and soothe the sorest pain; She'll bathe, and bind, and soon they'll find that they are well again. Flower Fairies of the wayside C. M. Barker.